ISBN 9780224100823

ISBN-10

0224100823

Binding

Hardback

Number of Pages

400 Pages

Language

(English)

Subject

Reference Work

Ever wondered how many dimples there are on a golf ball; or why the shipping forecast is broadcast on 198 kHz long wave? Find yourself puzzling over what is really going on in the 273 seconds of John Cage's most famous composition? Then this is the book for you.

The Book of 365 offers an entertaining and thought-provoking mini-essay on the world around us for every day of the year, each taking a number between 1 and 365 as its starting point, encompassing science, history, art, literature, medicine, and popular culture and covering topics as diverse as modern music and steel mesh, archaeology and chili sauce, unbirthdays and radio valve technology.

On the way, uncover:

At 5, the pentaradial symmetry of starfish and roses At 34, how the US flag got its stars and stripes At 99, the mysteries of the 99 ice-cream At 239, where Sherlock Holmes really lived

And, in honour of the leap year, at the end of the book there is a bonus 366th essay!